Fishing with Bears
By Dave Atcheson

   Bears in Alaska. They’re a fact of life, especially for fishermen. How we deal with them, how we live and play in their presence, is a topic that often generates a great deal of speculation and debate, especially in the aftermath of a tragic incident. Such was the case a few summers ago, when 25-year old Dan Bigley was severely mauled while returning in the wee hours of the morning from fishing on the Russian River.
   Is there anything this young fisherman might have done to avoid attack? Would carrying pepper spray have made a difference? With the large amount of bear activity in the area, should authorities even have allowed fishing at this hour?

Photo courtesy of Blaine's Guide Service

   One thing is for certain. There is sure to be a great deal of discussion by the various agencies on what needs to be done to increase awareness and prevent future attacks. Already a document on bear safety specifically for fishermen has been developed by the “Interagency Brown Bear Study Team,” to be distributed at the Russian River. And what about the nighttime closure of Alaska’s most popular fishery, instituted between the hours of 11pm and 6am immediately following the attack?
   “Right now there are no plans to continue the closure,” says Mary Ann Benoit, a Wildlife Biologist with the Forest Service, although she does believe there would be public support for it. “Bears are more active in the evening,” she explains, “and most problems seem to occur then.” Still, she stresses, trouble can occur at anytime and it’s important for anglers in Alaska to be “bear aware,” and that means being in constant touch with where you are and what you’re doing.
    Larry Lewis, a Wildlife Technician, who among other duties teaches bear safety for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, would agree. He maintains that too often people get in trouble because they lose contact with their surroundings, becoming totally engrossed in their fishing, for instance. The other problem, he says, is complacency or a cavalier attitude, believing that “it couldn’t happen to me,” or that because I know all the “rules” for being in bear country I’ll be alright.
    While it is extremely important to be mindful of these rules, Lewis emphasizes they are only guidelines and never a guarantee. After years of dealing with nuisance bears and investigating attacks, he says the one thing he’s learned for certain is that these animals, just like people, are individuals and it’s impossible to know how each one is going to behave in a given situation. “You simply don’t know if a particular animal is agitated already. Has it been provoked by other bears in the area, or have other fishermen been getting too close?” It’s always best, Lewis advises, to ere on the side of caution, and that means avoiding areas where there’s even a chance of trouble.
   The Russian River, he points out, is just such a case. Along with a black bear family, four groups of brown bears were utilizing the stream in a relatively small area near it’s confluence with the Kenai River. Only six days prior to the attack, one of the brown bear sows was killed in “Defense of Life and Property,” with Fish and Game forced to euthanize it’s cubs. With these facts well publicized, and warnings issued at the campground, was it prudent to be fishing there in the middle of the night?
   This may be a difficult question for die-hard anglers, most of whom are guilty of fishing at off-hours in order to beat the crowds. Nevertheless, with the ongoing loss of bear habitat and a steady increase in both the number of bears and anglers, it’s a question we may all need to take into serious consideration in the future.

Bear Safety and Close Encounters:

   It’s always best to avoid an encounter and to give bears the opportunity to avoid you. Make plenty of noise while hiking. If possible, travel in a group. Clap your hands, sing, bang rocks together, anything that will make your presence known.
   When you do have an unwanted encounter, it’s important to remain calm, and never run. It’s natural for bears to give chase and impossible to outrun one. First, identify yourself, let the bear know you’re human, talk in a normal voice. If the bear continues approaching, become more defensive: raise your voice and wave your arms. Make yourself as large as possible. If you’re in a group, have the members stand together and shout. Usually this is all it takes to avoid a confrontation. When the time comes to retreat, back away slowly, move off the trail, and always leave the animal a route out.
   If you are attacked, experts say you have two choices—play dead or fight back—depending upon whether the bear is behaving defensively or seeking food. In most cases, brown bears that attack are reacting defensively, often defending a carcass or protecting their young. If this is the case, and the bear is a grizzly, play dead. Lie on your stomach and cup your hands behind your neck. Usually the bear will end its attack once it perceives the threat over. It’s important, however, to remain in this position for as long as possible after the bear breaks off its attack, as movement often causes the bear to return. If it’s a black bear, or any bear trying to break into a tent or cabin, fight back.

Firearms:

   Should you carry a gun in bear country? The experts agree: If you are not proficient in the use of a firearm and not fully prepared to use it, don’t even consider bringing one; it only increases the chance of injuring yourself or someone else. If you are comfortable carrying a gun, choose the right weapon. Many tote large-caliber pistols because of their convenient size, but they are not the best choice. A hunting rifle, a .338 or .375 caliber, is standard, although a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with rifled slugs probably offers the best protection at close range. A shotgun can also be fitted with an 18-inch barrel, making it easier to handle in dense brush.

Pepper Spray:

   Red pepper aerosol sprays have been proven to be an effective last line of defense against bear attacks. And many experts, such Dr. Stephen Stringham, author of Beauty Within the Beast, believe that, especially for fishermen, it may be their best line of defense. “That’s because it’s a rare fisherman who can tolerate the inconvenience of shouldering a rifle or shotgun while casting or reeling. But carrying pepper spray,” he says, “is as easy as carrying a cell phone, and you’ll have it with you at all times.”
   Stringham prefers oil-free sprays, such as Bear Pause (currently sold only in Canada) because oil can actually attract other bears. Of the oil-based sprays, he recommends Pepper Power, manufactured by UDAP Industries.
   While easy to carry, the only drawback to these sprays is that if they are discharged upwind, they can disable the user. It’s important to know how to use the spray and take the appropriate precautions.

   Knowing the rules, and carrying a firearm or pepper spray, should never preclude simple common sense. Avoid crowding bears and allow them plenty of “personal” space. Plan ahead, stay calm, and make noise.
   Alaska is home to a vast array of wildlife. They should neither be feared nor taken for granted, and we should exalt in the fact that we are still able to share this land with them. We should respect what they represent and enjoy their presence, but always in a safe and unthreatening manner.

For more information:

Check out, “Staying Safe in Bear Country,” a video produced by Magic Lantern Communications.

Also, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website at: www.state.ak.us/adfg/wildlife/geninfo/game/bearfax.htm

and: www.BeBearAware.org.

Addition Bear Safety Tips for Fishermen

 Bears are attracted to splashing fish. If you have a fish on and a bear approaches, cut your line immediately—even if it’s a 30-inch rainbow, or a world record king. Then, slowly back out of the water and move to an open area, preferably with other people.

If possible fish in groups, or have a lookout.

Fish in an open area, where you can see bears and they can see you.

Try to avoid “tunnel vision,” make it a habit to take a break from fishing and look around every few minutes.

Try to avoid odors by storing fish in a bear proof container and sealed plastic bags.

Bears are attracted to carcasses, so if possible fillet your fish at home. If you fillet the fish on site, cut the leftover carcasses into small pieces before depositing them in the river.